Take Charge, Educators!

 

            For years, most educators--both current and retired--have worked hard and remained silent—or, at least, relatively silent. Current educators are continuing to work hard (harder than ever, actually, with this virtual/on-campus-virtual/hybrid environment) but, finally, these educators--and those of us who are retired--are starting to SPEAK UP and to TAKE CHARGE!

SAFETY

Just as I sat down to write this blog post, one of my friends, Letty, who is an elementary teacher here in McAllen (TX) sent me this video. It features Indiana high-school physics teacher Amy Foley speaking this month before the school board in her district. She speaks eloquently, but I must warn you it is painful to listen to her words. She voices the truth about today’s teaching and learning environment. She moved me to tears as she passionately told board members, “We love our students; we love our profession!” and when she spoke about the dramatic physical, mental, and emotional toll hybrid learning is having, not only on students, but also on school employees. Foley’s words echo throughout the country. She begs the school board to sit down with teachers and staff to find solutions before the toll that is already devastating becomes irreparable. (I would like to offer one solution right now. Expecting teachers to teach students sitting before them in the classroom while teaching students sitting at home, tuning in from their electronic devices, is ludicrous. This is unfair to teachers and to students because the students sitting right in front of them are still being taught on their computers. Seriously, this is not a viable solution to teaching during this pandemic.)

            One week ago, I received a Facebook notification about a press conference:  “Anoka-Hennepin educators call on the school district to address unsafe learning conditions in the schools - including poor ventilation and a lack of reporting and contract tracing of COVID cases in the schools.” A parent also spoke at the press conference, as did teachers’ union officials. Their words, too, speak what educators here in South Texas and in cities across the country are saying—"We need help! We will be part of the solution! This is not what is best for our students or for us!”

            I urge educators—as always, when I refer to “educators,” I include everyone who works in our public-school system—to TEAM UP, SPEAK UP, INSIST ON SOLUTIONS, and TAKE CHARGE!   

HEALTH

            This point is more personal and one I struggled with; however, Vivian, my friend who is a high-school teacher in McAllen, insisted I include it. We both decided I could because I have struggled with obesity since sixth grade. (No offense to those who have not, but it just seems harder to hear advice about weight from someone who has never been labeled “obese.”)

            I have seen and heard educators’ fear about returning to school. Much of it is due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 at school and bringing it home to spouses, children, and parents or grandparents who live with them. But an untold number of educators are also worried because of their own health.

            I have spoken to several local health officials and to Dr. Mario Luis Ramirez, who I have known since he was in high school in McAllen, and have watched countless interviews about how “underlying conditions” worsen outcomes for those who contract COVID-19. The local health officials I interviewed said their number one concern is obesity. and as we know, obesity can lead to the other underlying conditions that have proven to be devastating for so many during this pandemic, including diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, and lung conditions. (I certainly recognize that these conditions are not always caused by obesity, but I am focusing on how weight can have a significant impact on other health issues.)

            If ever we have needed to TAKE CHARGE of our own health, it is now. For some, that may mean making an appointment with a dietician. For others, it may mean joining a local weight-loss clinic or program. And for others, it may mean making an appointment with our doctor for help with a weight-loss program. Some may even want to start a take-charge-of-our-health program on your campus or with a group of friends.

            One thing I had to finally face over the last two years is that what I eat is even more important than exercise when it comes to weight loss. For years, I have worked out—hard—six days a week, but I worked equally hard to pump sugar and other unhealthy foods into my system. I am a “student,” learning more each day about the role I need to play in my own health.

            Fellow Educators, I want to assure you that the journey to taking charge of our health—starting with weight loss—may not be an easy one, but it certainly is a rewarding one if it can reduce our chances of suffering life-threatening consequences should we contract COVID-19, improve our overall health, help us save money on medications we will no longer need, and makes exercise, shopping, and just living much easier.

VOTING

             If you are not familiar with Texans for Public Education (or similar organizations in other states), I urge you to TAKE CHARGE of your voting knowledge by reading their ratings of elected officials in the state, based on the candidates’/incumbents’ affiliations, voting records, and more. They thoroughly research each one and rate them as unfriendly, neutral, or friendly toward public education.

            Before I voted Tuesday, the first day of Early Voting, I visited Ballotpedia and used their Sample Ballot Lookup. I typed in my street address and my city and state, and clicked on “View My Ballot.” Then I chose the November 3 election, and up popped my sample ballot. What I love about this particular tool is that next to each candidate’s name, there is an arrow. When I click on that arrow, I get a wealth of information on that candidate. Although I knew exactly who would receive my vote in the Texas Legislature and for all federal offices, this tool helped me decide which Texas Supreme Court candidates align with my values.

             In Texas, Early Voting continues through October 30. The polls are open today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) and are open next weekend, too.

            Wherever you live, check with your local Elections Office for details on places, dates, and times.

I know educators across the country are facing the same critical issues we are facing in Texas—public-school funding, health insurance, safety, pension security…

            TAKE CHARGE—VOTE!

            Let’s do this, Educators!  When it comes to safety, health, and voting, let’s TAKE CHARGE!

 Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and remains committed to education educators, and studetnts. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen)

Back to School, Virtual, or Hybrid? What’s Working and What Isn’t?

 First, I want to take a minute to tell all school employees THANK YOU! I can only imagine how difficult the spring semester and “The Summer of Worry” were and how much stress you are enduring at the start of the new year.

As you know, I live in the Rio Grande Valley, where public schools remain closed for the time being. Every day, I hear from teachers who tell me they are staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning to complete attendance, to grade, and to provide for the next day’s synchronous or asynchronous lesson. I also hear from friends who teach in other parts of Texas and in other states where students are back in school. They share tales of the latest round of quarantines, some excellent practices in place, and phases of reopening.

Our cafeteria heroes continue to provide breakfast and lunch to students each day--with the help of our school bus drivers--even in sweltering heat and pouring rain, just as they did throughout the most frightening days of the pandemic, Our custodians have worked tirelessly to prepare our schools for reopening and have undergone training for this new level of sanitization. Our administrative teams and all other team members are riding together on this pandemic roller coaster.

I would love to hear from YOU—teachers, support staff, librarians, counselors, UIL coaches/sponsors, administrators, and all other school employees. I would also love to hear from parents and students. This is what I would like to know, either in the comments below this post or, if you prefer, by sending me an email:

1.      1. In what district do you work?

2.      2. Is your school open for f2f instruction, completely virtual, or following a hybrid plan?

3.      3. What IS working that other schools/districts should consider emulating, keeping the two most important goals in mind: the education of our children and the safety of students and employees?

4.      4. What is NOT working, and what solutions can you offer?

5.      5. Does your school/district have community partners providing assistance in any way/shape/form? If yes, who are those partners and how are they helping?

Let’s share Best Practices and “Stop That Right Nows!” (Yes, I am fully aware that “nows” is not a word, yet it is exactly what I mean!)

While I understand the level of anxiety and angst, I am asking that the dialogue remain respectful. My goal is for all of us to help each other get through this COVID craziness. As my mom always says, “This, too, shall pass.” Not soon enough, but it WILL pass!

BONUS SECTION

            I have decided to try two new things this “season.”

First, I would like to share some mental-health resources I use and others I want to try and invite you to check them out, especially during this highly stressful, emotional time:

1. Podcasts to try: Hay House Meditations; Inspire Nation; The Happiness Lab

2. Mental Health and COVID-19 Resources

Do you have others you would like to share?  If so, please do!

Second, I know many teachers and other school employees have a “side hustle” to earn extra money and to share your talents!  I thought it would be great to share those in order to support our fellow educators. (Always remember that when I use the term “educators,” I am referring to ALL school employees! We are a team!)

I would like to start Educator Side Hustle off with two:

1.      1. My former student, Katherine, is now a special-education teacher in Corpus Christi and a single mom who recently opened an online shop with her popular home-sewn products  and other great items:  Check out Full Moon Junkyard and give this fellow educator’s page a like on Facebook!

2.      2. Teacher Courtney Jones, who started the #clearthelist movement, is still teaching while running the new nonprofit ClearTheList Foundation, which offers grants and all sorts of other opportunities for teachers. Check out the Foundation’s website, too!

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and remains committed to education and educators. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen)

Educators, Parents, and Students: We RISE UP!

            From the start, let me be clear.  When I talk about “educators,” I am referring to everyone who works in our school system.  Teachers and classroom aides may be the ones educating students in the classroom, but bus drivers, cafeteria staff, counselors, librarians, custodians, office staff, sign-language interpreters, maintenance staff, administrators, nurses, speech-and-language pathologists, diagnosticians, substitute teachers, and everyone else in our schools plays a critical role in educating our students. 

            Few, if any, saw this current situation coming.  Though many of us were watching the COVID-19 story unfold in other countries, I doubt most of us had any idea we would be following directives to stay home, searching for sources for masks and gloves, educating all students virtually, and watching a true partnership between teachers and parents develop before our eyes.

            Years ago, I read the book On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.  It was fascinating as she outlined the steps one goes through when diagnosed with a terminal illness.  I have gone through these stages myself when I have lost someone I love.

            As I watched my friends—some who are teachers, some who are parents of school-aged children, and some who are both—deal with the sudden reality of school closing indefinitely, I soon realized many of them, too, were going through these stages:  denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  I think I can say the same for many/most of our children.

            What I love is that acceptance did not take as long as it could have. Parents, some deemed “essential” who still must go to work, some who are working from home, and some who have been laid off indefinitely, were suddenly thrust into the role of homeschool teacher, or, some might say, administrator/counselor/teacher/support staff.  Teachers, all at varying levels of digital fluency, had to step into the role of virtual teacher almost overnight, as our cafeteria staff adjusted to Meals on Wheels, our administrators had to figure out how to oversee this distance learning while motivating staff, parents, and teachers, and many other members of  Team Education took on new, unchartered roles, too.

            But, as Andra Day sings in Rise Up,

And I’ll rise up

I'll rise like the day

I’ll rise up

I'll rise unafraid

I'll rise up

And I’ll do it a thousand times again

And I’ll rise up

High like the waves

I’ll rise up

In spite of the ache

I'll rise up

And I’ll do it a thousand times again

For you…

All we need, all we need is hope

And for that we have each other

And for that we have each other

            Instead of saying, “Together, we can,” I say, “Together, WE ARE!”

Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen countless posts about great resources that have been made available for our students/teachers/parents for as long as #RiseUp continues.  Here are several I just had to share.  (They are linked):

500 Free Online Courses From Ivy League Schools That Will Make You Smarter (and Less Stir Crazy)  Got time to kill? Check out these classes from the likes of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.

Apps for Students With Special Needs—As School Buildings Shutter

Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings (Updated) : Amazing Educational Resources  (Check out their FB page, too!)

Google now lets you explore U.S. National Parks via 360-degree virtual tours

IMAS (International Museum of Art & Science) is hosting at-home workshops

Learning Resources from Sylvan - Inspiring Learning Far Beyond the Classroom AND Sylvan Nation

NASA Makes Their Entire Media Library Publicly Accessible and Copyright Free

Science Bob

Share My Lesson, by Educators for Educators

These Education Companies Are Offering Free Subscriptions to Parents During School Closures (including Audible, Rosetta Stone, Khan Academy, Scholastic, Mystery Science, and more!)

TIME For Kids Digital Library Free for the Rest of the School Year

Welcome to Art For Kids Hub! - Here you’ll find all kinds of art lessons for kids, including how to draw for kids, even painting and origami for kids.

I would be remiss if I did not also share some links to mental-health resources, as well.  This has been difficult for children and adults alike. You’re not alone.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety at Home Webinar, McAllen ISD

Mental Health and COVID-19 and Dr. Christine Moutier Discusses Managing Your Mental Health on CNN Town Hall, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Ten Percent Happier LIVE, Live guided meditation + a virtual break from social distancing.

Free. Every weekday at 2 p.m. (and videotaped for viewing at any time)

Finally, I would like to share this video sent to me this afternoon by Alex Trevino, director of McHi Mariachi, six-time state champions, from McAllen High School, where I ended my teaching career.  Videos like this speak to me of resilience, of finding a way, of strength, of courage, of community, and of love.

Parents, Educators, and Students:  If YOU have resources you have discovered and/or if you have videos to share of #RISINGUP, please post the links in the comments under this blog post!  I do not say, “Together, we can.”  I say, “TOGETHER, WE ARE!”

 Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen)

Educating the Medical Community

             Education isn’t only about students, teachers, and administrators.  Actually, every sector of our workforce and our communities needs ongoing education to be the best we can be.  It is with this in mind that I decided it was high time I provide a citizen’s view of our medical community.

            Time and time again, the overwhelming complaint I hear from friends regarding the medical community is the lack of respect for their patients’ time.  One, two, three hours is common in countless medical offices, and I’m sure all patients would agree with me that, except in an emergency, this is totally unacceptable.

            You spend quality time with your patients?  I sincerely admire that, but have your staff schedule appointments accordingly.  So many people fail to show up for appointments that you overbook your appointments in anticipation for that?  Why should all of us who do show up for our scheduled appointment be penalized for those who don’t?  

            In teaching, we often talk about “Best Practices.”  I actually have two “Best Practices” in the area of scheduling, medical professionals who respect their patients’ time.  The first, Dr. Sam Hargis, a McAllen dentist, should win an award for the incredible job his staff does scheduling patients.  If I have to wait more than 5-10 minutes, an earthquake must have hit McAllen.  The other is surgeon Dr. Guillermo Marquez.  In his office, I may have to wait 20-30 minutes, but it’s rare to wait longer than that before being called in. 

            Admittedly, I suffer from White-Coat Syndrome.  It isn’t unusual for me to have a rise in blood pressure and other signs of anxiety when I have a doctor’s appointment.  Sitting in a waiting room for one, two, three or more hours aggravates this problem exponentially.  I will never forget making an appointment with a local family-practice physician.  I was in search of a new doctor and someone recommended her.  I showed up, my heart working overtime due to my aforementioned White-Coat Syndrome.  I sat down and waited and waited and waited.  To this day, I cannot believe I stayed two-and-a-half hours, but I did.  When my name was finally called, it was after 6:00 p.m.  The doctor walked into the office and said, “You look really stressed out.”  I looked at her, stunned, fighting the words that desperately wanted to escape my mouth.  Finally, I said something to the effect of, “That’s what waiting two-and-a-half hours in a doctor’s office does to me.”  Regardless of the recommendation or her skills, I never returned.

            Recently, I have noticed two disturbing trends in the medical community.  As patients, we go to get a test or procedure done, confident that we chose a doctor and/or a hospital that is “in network.”  However, what we learn later is not only disturbing but costly.  One is the practice of a hospital having physicians who are “independent practitioners.”  The other is when we see an ad for a special price on a mammogram or other—usually diagnostic—test; however, in small print, we learn there will be additional charges to the patient from these “independent practitioners” who have to interpret the tests.  In order for a medical facility to qualify to be “in network” for our employers and insurance companies, shouldn’t they also have to commit to having all of those who will treat their patients also be “in network” to avoid these costly and unacceptable surprises? 

            Finally, I would obviously be remiss if I ended without discussing the cost for treatment in most facilities within the medical community.  Here, I include the cost for pharmaceuticals.  While I have been cognizant of these costs for years, because of the dramatic and negative changes the Texas Legislature made to all public school retirees in the state, which began January 1, my awareness has turned into panic.  Now, instead of a $400 deductible, we each have a $1500 deductible.  Now, instead of paying co-pays for our medical visits and prescriptions, we have to pay 100 percent of those costs until we reach that magic $1500 mark.  For those who have a spouse on their Teacher-Retirement-System healthcare plan, they have to pay 100 percent of all medical and pharmaceutical bills until they reach a $3000 deductible.  This has caused me to wonder how often the medical community looks at what they are charging to decide if it is a “fair price” for the product or service.  I could go on about this for hours, but I don’t think that’s necessary.  As patients, we are often “trapped” because we would not be at that facility or buying that medication if we didn’t need it.  This is where ethics comes in to play.

            Martin Luther King has been credited with saying, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.”  In “Educating the Medical Community,” my goal is to ask members of the medical community to use intelligence and character in fixing parts of the system your patients can tell you are broken.

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

I Miss Those Days…Before They Felt Like Prisons

I spent the last 14 years of my 29-year teaching career at McAllen High School.  I still remember pulling up to McHi one day last year, suddenly putting my foot on the brake, gripping the steering wheel, and staring.  What in the world?  Surrounding my beloved campus was a tall, wrought-iron fence.  My heart sank.

            First, full disclosure.  During my sixth-grade year, my school was taken hostage by a group that had robbed a local sporting goods store as they made a desperate attempt to evade arrest.  I can still close my eyes and see myself and my classmates sitting on the floor of our classroom.  I remember the fear, the sound of gunshots, the tears.  I remember the SWAT team lining the hallway and leading us outside to our terrified parents after police killed one of the gunmen and the others surrendered.  Last year when I took a concealed-carry class, the classroom portion was a breeze.  But when we walked into the shooting range, each time I heard a gunshot, my limps shook, and I wanted to cover my ears.  I didn’t realize until I got to my car that my body seemed to be remembering that day.

            I want to be clear.  I completely understand why McAllen ISD and school districts across the country have installed such fences. In fact, since I retired, I have visited a number of schools that have gates around their buildings that are completely locked. Visitors must pull up to a box with a keypad, like those you find outside a gated community, and push a button that rings the front office,.  Many schools have their front doors unlocked but then have a second set of doors that are locked and prevent people from entering the office area and school hallways without being buzzed in.

            So you might be wondering why I didn’t welcome the tall, wrought-iron fence surrounding McHi.  Because when I saw it, I wondered how I would flee the building if I were still teaching and a school shooting occurred.  To me, it was more about how I would escape than it was about keeping potential killers out.

            I contacted a couple of my friends who are still teaching at McHi to see how they felt about what felt like “prison walls” to me.  Both responded immediately, insisting the fence made them feel significantly safer.   Especially, they said, with a police officer on guard in the parking area once again.  (Budget cuts several years ago resulted in that position being cut.) 

            In the early 60s when the current McHi was built, district officials did not have to worry about school shootings.  Thus, having countless doors leading inside must have seemed like a convenience.  Today, those same doors scream danger.

            I can’t help but feel grateful that I retired because I know my need to plan an escape would be thwarted by those wrought-iron fences.  I am also grateful that McHi, schools across the Valley, and schools across the country have prioritized safety for our students and for school district employees. 

            But I sure do miss those days….

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

Serious Concerns Remain Regarding Regressive Healthcare for Retired Public School Employees in Texas

Since the Teacher Retirement System of Texas held informational meetings two weeks ago regarding the dramatic healthcare changes that will take effect in January for all retired public school employees, I have received a number of emails and calls from people with countless questions and serious concerns about what is about to hit us.  I have written extensively about the bottom line, especially for those of us who are under the age of 65.  That bottom line about what the Texas Legislature has done to us includes:

·         The deductible for the individual retiree is increasing from $400 to $1500 in-network.

·         There will be no copay for healthcare or prescriptions until that deductible is met, meaning the retired employee will pay 100 percent (see only exception below—fifth bullet ) out of pocket.

·         The deductible for retirees who have a spouse/child on their insurance increasing to $3000, and not a penny will be paid (see only exception below—fifth bullet) until that is reached.  It will not be based on the individual but rather on the family unit.

·         The Maximum Out of Pocket will be $5,650 for the retiree and $11,300 for the family for in-network expenses.  For out-of-network expenses it will be $11,300 and $22,600, respectively.

·         This list of standard, generic drugs will be covered at 100 percent.

·         Some retired teachers under 65 still don’t know there are no longer three tiers of healthcare plans from which we can choose.  Now we have only one option—the high-deductible plan.

            I have also written extensively about how hard the Texas Retired Teachers Association fought for us. Their calls to action—and the overwhelming response from public school retirees across the state—played a significant role in making the changes a bit less devastating.  (Take, for example, that the Texas Legislature originally voted to increase the deductible for an individual retiree from $400 to $3000!)  Because “the sleeping giant” (aka retired educators who have a tendency to remain silent) awakened and bombarded Texas legislators with phone calls, emails, and visits to their offices, changes were made during the special session.  The $35 annual fee it costs to be a TRTA member is definitely money well spent.  And remember, the Texas Legislature meets again in 2019!  There is no time for silence! 

            It was TRTA that provided legislators and members with some startling facts, including…

·         During almost half of the 30-year history of TRS-Care, the State funded only 0.5% and the school districts contributed nothing.

·         TRS has more than 375,000 retirees with an average annuity of $1995 per month, while 105,000 retirees receive $1000 or LESS per month.

·         95% of public school employees do not pay into Social Security and the vast majority of retirees do not receive ANY SS benefits due to the GPO and WEP. TRS is their sole form of retirement security!

           

            There are a few things I learned at the TRS session that at least provide a glimmer of light in this healthcare darkness.  Here is one of them:

·         We will have a service available to us called “Teladoc.”  This service will allow us to speak to a licensed doctor 24/7/365 via telephone, website, or mobile app in fewer than 10 minutes to treat such conditions as bronchitis, pink eye, skin infections, depression, and anxiety.  Their network includes over 3,100 licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, dermatologists, and mental health therapists who average 20 years of experience.  They are able to provide us with short-term prescriptions.  Rather than paying the cost of a doctor’s visit or an urgent care facility (with no copay, remember), there will be a $40 consult fee if our deductible has not been met--and that fee goes toward the deductible--or an $8 fee if our deductible has been met. 

            More next week on other programs we should all know about as the clock keeps ticking to our new, regressive healthcare plan.

NOTE:  To wake up and get engaged, we should all be members of our local unit of TRTA, too!  Next Monday is the meeting for the McAllen/Mission-area chapter. Although lunch is available for purchase, it is not required.  Annual membership dues are just $10.

To find the unit nearest you, click here

SECOND NOTE:  Have you visited FamilyWize yet?  If you ever have prescriptions, please do!

THIRD NOTE:  If you were unable to attend the TRS sessions on our healthcare changes but want to know what they had to say, visit this page to watch the webinar.

FOURTH NOTE:  If you aren’t familiar with Texans for Public Education, I urge you to go to their website and/or to follow their threads on Facebook.  It’s about non-partisan block voting for candidates with a record of supporting public education. 

STAY AWAKE, FORMERLY SLEEPING GIANT!!

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

When Our Children Need Us Most

             I am taking a one-week hiatus from the ongoing discussion on retirees’ healthcare to talk about another matter of critical importance.  The idea came to me when I visited my ‘teaching alma mater,” McAllen High School, Monday. 

            As I walked to my car, I saw my friend, Michelle Cortez Gully.  I first met Michelle when her son, Ian, was a student at McHi.  Michelle and her husband, Jason, could often be found around the campus, helping wherever they were needed.  Now their daughter, Jae, goes to McHi, and it seems like whenever I stop by, Michelle is there, working on one project or another to help the school.

            Michelle and I stood outside talking for quite some time.  We talked about Project Celebration, the graduation-night party held as a way to keep graduates engaged in drug-and-alcohol-free celebrations, Jae and her fellow McHi cheerleaders, PTA, and other activities around the school where the help of parents is so desperately needed.

            I told Michelle about a speech I had read some years back that I saved because it was profound and, sadly, true.  I told her I would look for it and send it to her.  As soon as I got home, I started searching through my journals where I save quotations, speeches, and other written words that strike me, and I found it.  It is an excerpt from a speech by Dr. James P. Comer, the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine's Child Study Center.  Here it is:

            When our youngsters were in the elementary school, we lived in a community

            that greatly valued education.  When we went to an open house, we had to go

            very early or we couldn’t find a parking place.  It was just packed.

            When we went to an open house in middle school, we didn’t have to go early

            because there were plenty of spaces. When we went to the high school open house,

            there was an empty parking lot.

            At their point of greatest need in our complex society, we abandon our children.

I still get the chills every time I read it.  I think of how shocking it is for me when I look back on the last few years of my teaching career.  Remember that the campus had over 2000 students and yet there were but a handful of parents involved in the school’s PTA, a sharp and disturbing contrast from what you tend to see in the same type of organization at the elementary schools.  And McHi is by no means unique in this.  Unfortunately, the same can be said about schools across our area, our state, and our nation.  How can that be?   Dr. Comer is on point when he says, “At their point of greatest need in our complex society, we abandon our children.”

            I find it strange that so few parents of seniors work at Project Celebration.  Many expect the school administrators and teachers to plan it, prepare for it, and run it.  I respectfully disagree with this mentality.  It seems to me that the parents should do all of those things and that school personnel should chip in to help because they want to celebrate graduation night with the students they have taught and nurtured throughout their time in high school.

            Parents, I have to ask--How many of you are active, engaged members of your children’s academic or athletic booster clubs?  How many of you volunteer at your children’s schools, from elementary through high school?  How many of you help raise funds for your children’s schools, especially today when the Texas Legislature continues to cut much-needed funding?

            I loudly applaud parents like Michelle Cortez Gully and all of those who give tirelessly to their children’s schools, who wouldn’t dream of “abandoning” them “at their point of greatest need.” 

            The night of open house, your child’s choir concert, his/her track meet, the school’s beautification event, Project Celebration….is YOUR car in the parking lot because YOU’RE there to help? 

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)